Systems and methods to facilitate games of skill for prizes played via a communication network

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate games of skill for prizes played via a communication network. According to one embodiment, a fee is received from a player in exchange for game play. During game play, a game controller receives a player input parameter from a remote player device. A game result is then determined based on the player input parameter and a value, the value being generated at the game controller without being communicated to the remote player device prior to the determination of the game result. A prize may then be awarded to the player based on the game result.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of:

[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/561,668, entitled “REMOTEAUDITING OF COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES AND AUTHENTICATED BILLING ANDACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM USING CRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PROTOCOLS” and filedon Nov. 22, 1995, issued on Jun. 16, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,382;

[0003] and is a continuation-in-part of: U.S. patent application Ser.No. 08/624,998, entitled “OFF-LINE REMOTE SYTEM FOR LOTTERIES AND GAMESOF SKILL” and filed on Mar. 29, 1996, issued on Feb. 16, 1999 as U.S.Pat. No. 5,871,398, which is a continuation-in-part of: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/497,080, entitled “OFF-LINE REMOTE LOTTERYSYSTEM” and filed on Jun. 30, 1995 and abandoned on Jul. 16, 1998;

[0004] and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/677,544, entitled “REMOTE-AUDITING OF COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES,AUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS CONTROL, AND SOFTWARE METERING SYSTEMUSING CRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PROTOCOLS” and filed on Aug. 8, 1996,issued on Oct. 19, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,143, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/561,668,entitled “REMOTE AUDITING OF COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES ANDAUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM USING CRYPTOGRAPHIC ANDOTHER PROTOCOLS” and filed on Nov. 22, 1995, issued on Jun. 16, 1998 asU.S. Pat. No. 5,768,382;

[0005] and is a continuation-in-part of: U.S. patent application Ser.No. 08/635,576, entitled “DATABASE DRIVEN ONLINE DISTRIBUTED TOURNAMENTSYTEM” and filed on Apr. 22, 1996, issued on Jul. 14, 1998 as U.S. Pat.No. 5,779,549. The entire contents of these applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0006] The present invention relates to games. In particular, thepresent invention relates to systems and methods to facilitate games ofskill for prizes played via a communication network.

BACKGROUND

[0007] Many people enjoy playing games. For example, many people enjoyplaying games of chance, trivia games, puzzle games, and arcade-stylegames (e.g., games in which a player collects points as he or shemaneuvers a character across a landscape or through a maze). One reasona player may enjoy playing a game is that he or she finds itentertaining to play the game according to a set of rules associatedwith the game. For example, a player may enjoy trying to solve a picturepuzzle according to a particular set of rules. Another reason may bethat he or she enjoys achieving a successful game result (e.g., bycompleting a crossword puzzle). The way a game is presented, thecomplexity of game rules, and the likelihood of achieving a successfulgame result can all contribute to whether or not players will find thegame entertaining and enjoyable.

[0008] Many players especially enjoy playing “online” games, such asgames played by communicating with a game provider via a communicationnetwork. For example, a player may use his or her Personal Computer (PC)to communicate with an online game provider through the Internet. Withonline games, a player can decide when and where a game will be played.For example, the player may decide to play a game while at his or herhome or office, or even while traveling. This flexibility is one reasonwhy so many players enjoy playing online games.

[0009] To increase interest in a game, an online game provider canarrange for some players to receive prizes. For example, a game providermay arrange a tournament in which multiple players compete against eachother. In this case, players may be required to provide entry fees inexchange for participating in the tournament, and some or all of theentry fees can then be awarded to a player based on his or her relativeperformance as compared to other players (e.g., fifty percent of theentry fees can be awarded to the best player in a tournament).

[0010] Some online game providers also arrange for players to receiveprizes in non-tournament games, such as online casinos that arrange forplayers to receive prizes in games of chance. For example, players maybe allowed to place bets with an online casino, and prizes may beawarded to players based on game results that are randomly determined bythe online casino. Popular games of chance include slot machine games,roulette games, and card games (e.g., blackjack games and poker games).

[0011] However, games of chance for prizes are often regulated, or evenprohibited, by governmental authorities. For example, a particularcountry, or region within a country, may completely prohibit a gameprovider from collecting payments from players and awarding prizes toplayers based on game results that are generated in a predominantlyrandom manner (i.e., by prohibiting “gambling”).

[0012] To avoid such problems, a game provider may instead arrange forplayers to play games of “skill” in which a game result is determinedpredominantly a player's performance. For example, many people enjoyplaying computer-based simulated golf games. In this case, a playerprovides one or more input parameters (e.g., a speed and angleassociated with a swing of a simulated golf club), and a trajectory iscalculated for a simulated golf ball based on the input parameters. Agame result is then determined, and a successful game result mayindicate, for example, that the simulated golf ball has come to restwithin a predetermined distance of a simulated golf hole.

[0013] It is known that a game provider can award prizes to players towho play games of skill. For example, a game provider may award a fivedollar gift certificate to any player who shoots a hole-in-one during acomputer-based simulated golf game. Prizes can similarly be awarded inother types of games of skill, including trivia games, word-puzzlegames, and arcade-style games. For example, a game provider may award aprize to any player who scores at least 5,000 points in a trivia game.Typically, however, players do not provide payments in exchange forplaying games of skill. Thus, the prizes that are awarded are generallyfor lower amounts (e.g., under ten dollars) and/or are less frequent(e.g., to one player out often thousand) as compared to games of chance.

[0014] A number of other problems may arise when a game providerarranges for players to play a game of skill. For example, players maybecome frustrated if a level of skill required to succeed in a game istoo high. In this case, a player may feel that the game provider isbeing unfair because he or she cannot realistically achieve a successfulgame result. As a result, players may stop playing the game—especiallyif they are required to provide payment in exchange for playing thegame.

[0015] Another problem that can arise when a game provider arranges forplayers to play a game of skill is that some players may dominate gameplay. Consider, for example, a player who is, or becomes, an “expert” ata game of skill. Such an expert player may frequently be able to receivea prize by achieving a particular game result. If he or she continuallyplays the game, the game provider may eventually award a large number ofprizes (and provide payment of a significant total prize amount) to theexpert player. In fact, the game provider may find itself awarding alarger amount than it receives from players (e.g., especially if theprize amounts are large or if there are a large number of expertplayers). To avoid losing money, the game provider may attempt toincrease the payments that players provide in exchange for game play.However, the non-expert players, who in effect would now be subsidizingthe expert players, may stop playing the game. Instead of increasingpayments received from players, the game provider may attempt to thereduce prize amounts that are provided to players. This, however, maymake the game less enjoyable and cause non-expert players to stopplaying the game.

[0016] In addition to the expert player problem, a game provider mayfind that some players use automated game playing devices to unfairlyachieve game results. That is, a player may alter a game program ordevelop a supplemental program to provide an unfair advantage duringgame play. For example, an automated game playing device may unfairlydetermine and display supplemental information to a player, such as apath through a maze that has been calculated by the automated gameplaying device. Players who use these types of automated game playingdevices will cause many of the problems discussed above with respect toexpert players (e.g., the game provider may lose money and/or playerswho do not use automated game playing devices may stop playing thegame).

[0017] The problems associated with expert players and/or players whouse automated game playing devices may be particularly prevalent when agame provider awards prizes to players based on game results. That is,the prizes may encourage expert players more than non-expert players(who are less likely to win the prizes) as well as motivate some playersto create and/or use automated game playing devices. Similarly, theseproblems may be more common with respect to online games. For example,automated game playing devices may be more easily created and/or used inan online environment.

SUMMARY

[0018] To alleviate problems inherent in the prior art, the presentinvention introduces systems and methods to facilitate games of skillfor prizes played via a communication network.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a fee is received from a player toplay a game of skill. A player input parameter is received from a remoteplayer device via a communication network, and a game result isdetermined based on the player input parameter and the game of skill.According to this embodiment, the game of skill inhibits performance ofan automated game playing device by determining the game result in partbased on a value that is not transmitted to the remote player device. Aprize may then be provided to the player based on the game result.

[0020] According to another embodiment, a fee is received from a playerto play a game of skill associated with a physics simulation. A valueassociated with the physics simulation is determined withoutcommunicating the value to a remote player device, and a player inputparameter is received from the remote player device via a communicationnetwork. A game result is then determined based on (i) the receivedplayer input parameter and (ii) the value associated with the physicssimulation. A prize may then be provided to the player based on the gameresult.

[0021] One embodiment of the present invention comprises: means forreceiving from a player a fee to play a game of skill; means forreceiving a player input parameter from a remote player device via acommunication network; means for determining a game result based on theplayer input parameter and the game of skill, wherein the game of skillinhibits performance of an automated game playing device by determiningthe game result in part based on a value that is not transmitted to theremote player device; and means for providing a prize to the playerbased on the game result.

[0022] Another embodiment comprises: means for receiving from a player afee to play a game of skill associated with a physics simulation; meansfor determining a value associated with the physics simulation withoutcommunicating the value to a remote player device; means for receiving aplayer input parameter from the remote player device via a communicationnetwork; means for determining a game result based on (i) the receivedplayer input parameter and (ii) the value associated with the physicssimulation; and means for providing a prize to the player based on thegame result.

[0023] With these and other advantages and features of the inventionthat will become hereinafter apparent, the invention may be more clearlyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of theinvention, the appended claims, and the drawings attached herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1A is a block diagram overview of a game system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 1B is a block diagram overview of a game system according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a player device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate player devices according to someembodiments of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a game controller according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 7 is a tabular representation of a portion of a playerdatabase according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a tabular representation of a portion of a game playdatabase according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a tabular representation of a portion of a game databaseaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for facilitating game playaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems andmethods to facilitate games of “skill” for prizes that are played via acommunication network. As used herein, the phrase “game of skill” refersto any game in which a game result is determined based predominantly ona player's skill (e.g., as demonstrated by his or her performance) asopposed to chance. Note that the game result may also be based in parton chance (e.g., a randomly generated value). Moreover, as used herein,a “prize” may be any benefit that can be awarded to a player. By way ofexample, a prize may be a payment of a monetary amount or an alternatecurrency (e.g., a gift certificate).

Game System Overview

[0034] Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a block diagramof a game system 100 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The game system 100 includes a game controller 600 incommunication with a number of player devices 200. Note that although asingle game controller 600 is shown in FIG. 1A, any number of gamecontrollers 600 may be included in the game system 100. Similarly, anynumber of the other devices described herein may be included in the gamesystem 100 according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, a player device 200communicates with a remote, Web-based game controller 600 (e.g., aserver) via the Internet. Although some embodiments of the presentinvention are described with respect to information exchanged using aWeb site, according to other embodiments information can instead beexchanged, for example, via: a telephone, an Interactive Voice ResponseUnit (IVRU), electronic mail, a WEBTV® interface, a cable networkinterface, and/or a wireless communication system.

[0036] The player device 200 and the game controller 600 may be anydevices capable of performing the various functions described herein.The player device 200 may be, for example: a PC, a portable computingdevice such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a wired or wirelesstelephone, a one-way or two-way pager, a kiosk (e.g., a game kiosklocated at an airport terminal), an interactive television device, agame terminal (e.g., a SONY PLAY STATION® video game terminal), or anyother appropriate storage and/or communication device.

[0037] Note that the devices shown in FIG. 1A need not be in constantcommunication. For example, a player device 200 may only communicatewith the game controller 600 via the Internet when appropriate (e.g.,when attached to a “docking” station or “cradle” coupled to a player'sPC). Note also that a player device 200 and the game controller 600 maybe incorporated in a single device (e.g., a game kiosk may act as both aplayer device 200 and the game controller 600).

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a playeruses a player device 200 to communicate with the game controller 600.For example, a player may use his or her PC to access a Web siteassociated with the game controller 600. The player may then play a gameof skill (e.g., a computer-based golf game associated with a physicssimulation), such as by using a keyboard or mouse coupled to the PC toprovide input parameters to the game controller 600.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1A, a player may also attempt to use anautomated game playing device 260 to help him or her during game play.The automated game playing device 260 may be, for example, a modifiedgame program or a separate software program that is being executed onthe player device 200. For example, a player may create an automatedgame playing device 260 that analyzes information received by, or storedat, the player device 200 in order to evaluate a simulated putting greenterrain. The automated game playing device 260 may then calculate anoptimal simulated swing for a player.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the game controller 600 alsoarranges for the player to provide a payment in exchange for game playand/or arranges for the player to receive a payment of one or more prizeamounts. For example, the game controller 600 may arrange for $1,000 tobe paid to a player who correctly answers twenty trivia questions. Apayment device 110 may be used to arrange for the player to provideand/or receive payments. For example, the game controller 600 mayarrange for a player to purchase one or more game plays via the paymentdevice 110 (e.g., via a credit card account, a debit card account, abanking account, or an electronic payment protocol). The payment device110 may comprise, for example, a third party device (e.g., a credit cardprocessing device), a check printer, and/or or an Automated ClearingHouse (ACH) device (e.g., when arranging to provide a “direct deposit”payment via a player's bank account).

Detailed Game System

[0041]FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a game system 102 wherein the gamecontroller 600 communicates with different types of player devices 200via one or more communication networks 104. In particular, the playerdevices 200 comprise a PC 202, a PDA 204, a wireless telephone 206, anda television 208.

[0042] The game controller 600 may communicate with these devices, forexample, via the Internet. According to other embodiments, thecommunication networks 104 comprise one or more of a Local Area Network(LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), aproprietary network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), aWireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a cable television network,and other types of Internet Protocol (IP) networks such as an intranetor an extranet. Moreover, as used herein, communications include thoseenabled by wired or wireless technology. Note that the increasingubiquity of Internet access, and the rapid growth of game playingonline, may make the Internet a particularly fertile medium to develop a“cash for cash prizes” player experience.

[0043] Examples of some player devices 200 that may be used inconnection with the game systems 100, 102 will now be described indetail with respect to FIGS. 2 through 5.

Player Device

[0044]FIG. 2 illustrates a player device 200 that is descriptive of thedevices shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The player device 200 comprises a processor 210, suchas one or more INTEL® Pentium® processors, coupled to a communicationdevice 220 configured to communicate via a communication network (notshown in FIG. 2). The communication device 220 may be used tocommunicate, for example, with the game controller 600 and/or thepayment device 110.

[0045] The processor 210 is also in communication with an input device240. The input device 240 may comprise, for example, a keyboard, a mouseor other pointing device, a microphone, a knob or a switch (including anelectronic representation of a knob or a switch), an infrared port, adocking station, and/or a touch screen. Such an input device 240 may beused, for example, by a player to play a game (e.g., by manipulating apointer associated with a computer-based golf game).

[0046] The processor 210 is also in communication with an output device250. The output device 240 may comprise, for example, a display (e.g., acomputer monitor), a speaker, and/or a printer. The output device 250may be used, for example, to provide game information to a player.

[0047] The processor 210 is also in communication with a storage device230. The storage device 230 may comprise any appropriate informationstorage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices(e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices,and/or semiconductor memory devices such as Random Access Memory (RAM)devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices.

[0048] The storage device 230 stores a program 215 for controlling theprocessor 210. The processor 210 performs instructions of the program215, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention. Forexample, the processor 210 may arrange for a player to play a game ofskill by receiving information from, and/or transmitting information to,a remote game controller 600.

[0049] As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted”to, for example: (i) the player device 200 from the game controller 600;or (ii) a software application or module within the player device 200from another software application, module, or any other source.

[0050]FIG. 3 illustrates a PC 202 displaying game information accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 202 includes akeyboard 242A and a mouse 242B which can be used by a player to play agame of skill. The PC 202 also includes a computer display 252A andspeakers 252B which can be used, for example, to provide gameinformation to a player.

[0051]FIG. 4 illustrates a PDA 204 displaying game information accordingto another embodiment of the present invention. The PDA 204 includes aninput device 244 and an output device 254 (e.g., a display screen) thatmay be used by a player to play a game. Similarly, FIG. 5 illustrates awireless telephone 206 including an input device 246 and an outputdevice 256 displaying game information.

Game Controller

[0052]FIG. 6 illustrates a game controller 600 that is descriptive ofthe device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The game controller 600 comprises a processor 610,such as one or more INTEL® Pentium® processors, coupled to acommunication device 620 configured to communicate via a communicationnetwork (not shown in FIG. 6). The communication device 620 may be usedto communicate, for example, with one or more player devices 200 and/orthe payment device 110.

[0053] The processor 610 is also in communication with a storage device630. The storage device 630 may comprise any appropriate informationstorage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices(e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices,and/or semiconductor memory devices such as RAM devices and ROM devices.

[0054] The storage device 630 stores a program 615 for controlling theprocessor 610. The processor 410 performs instructions of the program415, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention. Forexample, the processor 610 may arrange for a player to provide paymentof a fee in exchange for playing a game of skill. The processor may alsoreceive a player input parameter from a remote player device 200 anddetermine a game result based on the player input parameter and a value.The value may be, for example, generated at the game controller 600without being communicated to the remote player device 200 prior to thedetermination of the game result. The processor 610 may then arrange forthe player to receive a prize based on the game result. Such an approachmay limit a player's ability to unfairly produce a game result using anautomated game playing device (e.g., because the game result is notbased solely based on information available at a remote player device).

[0055] The program 615 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/orencrypted format. The program 615 may furthermore include other programelements, such as an operating system, a database management system,and/or device drivers used by the processor 410 to interface withperipheral devices.

[0056] As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted”to, for example: (i) the game controller 600 from the player device 200;or (ii) a software application or module within the game controller 600from another software application, module, or any other source.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the storage device 630 also stores a playerdatabase 700 (described with respect to FIG. 7), a game play database800 (described with respect to FIG. 8), and a game database 900(described with respect to FIG. 9). Examples of databases that may beused in connection with the game systems 100, 102 will now be describedin detail with respect to FIGS. 7 through 9. The illustrations andaccompanying descriptions of the databases presented herein areexemplary, and any number of other database arrangements could beemployed besides those suggested by the figures.

Player Database

[0058] Referring to FIG. 7, a table represents the player database 700that may be stored at the game controller 600 according to an embodimentof the present invention. The table includes entries identifying playerswho play games of skill via the game system 100, including members of atest group of players and/or the general public. The table also definesfields 702, 704, 706, 708, 710 for each of the entries. The fieldsspecify: a player identifier 702, a name 704, contact information 706, apayment identifier 708, and an account balance 710. The information inthe player database 700 may be created and updated, for example, basedon information received from player when he or she registers with thegame controller 600. The information in the player database 700 may alsobe based on, for example, information generated as players play games ofskill via the game system 100.

[0059] The player identifier 702 may be, for example, an alphanumericcode associated with a player who has registered to use the game system100. The player identifier 702 may be generated by, for example, thegame controller 600 or the player (e.g., when the player provides a username and password). According to one embodiment, the player identifier702 is also stored on a remote player device 200 (e.g., as part of abrowser “cookie” file). The player database 700 also stores the name 704and contact information 706 (e.g., a postal address, an electronic mailaddress, an IP address, or a telephone number) associated with eachplayer.

[0060] The payment identifier 708 may comprise, for example, a creditcard, debit card or bank account number (e.g., a checking accountnumber) or digital payment protocol information. The payment identifier708 may be used, for example, by the game controller 600 to arrange forthe player to provide or receive a payment.

[0061] The account balance 710 represents an amount that has beenprovided by the player (e.g. via his or her credit card account) inexchange for game play and/or an amount that has been (or will be)provided to the player based on his or her performance (e.g., a totalamount that has been won by the player). The account balance 710 may beincreased, for example, when a player provides a fee in exchange forgame play and when a player wins a prize. The account balance 710 may bedecreased, for example, when he or she plays a game and when payment isprovided to the player (e.g., he or she receives a check representing anamount won during the month).

Game Play Database

[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, a table represents the game play database800 that may be stored at the game controller 600 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The table includes entriesidentifying games that have been played by players via the game system100. The table also defines fields 802, 804, 806 for each of theentries. The fields specify: a game play identifier 802, a playeridentifier 804, and a game result 806. The information in the game playdatabase 800 may be created and updated, for example, based oninformation generated as players play games of skill via the game system100.

[0063] The game play identifier 802 may be, for example, an alphanumericcode associated with a game that has been played by a player. The gameplay identifier 802 may be generated, for example, by the gamecontroller 600. The player identifier 804 may be, for example, analphanumeric code associated with a player who has registered to use thegame system 100. The player identifier 804 may be based on, orassociated with, the player identifier 702 stored in the player database700.

[0064] The game result 806 may represent an amount that has been, orwill be, provided to a player based on his or her performance in a gameof skill (e.g., a prize awarded to the player based on game play).According to another embodiment, the game result 806 instead representsone or more goals achieved by a player, such as a total score. The gameprovider may analyze the game results 806 stored in the game playdatabase 800 to evaluate a game design (e.g., based on game results 806generated by a sample group of players and/or after the game has beenreleased to the general public). The game provider may, for example,determine that a particular payout structure will not be (or is not)profitable and/or that game results 806 are determined predominantly bya player's skill.

Game Database

[0065] Referring to FIG. 9, a table represents the game database 900that may be stored at the game controller 600 according to an embodimentof the present invention. The table includes entries identifying gamesof skill that may be available via the game system 100. The table alsodefines fields 902, 904 for each of the entries. The fields specify: agame identifier 902 and a total game result 904. The information in thegame database 900 may be created and updated, for example, based oninformation generated as players play games of skill via the game system100.

[0066] The game identifier 902 may be, for example, an alphanumeric codeassociated with a game that may be available via the game system 100.Note that the game identifier 902 may be associated with the game playidentifier 802 stored in the game play database 800. For example, thegame play identifier 802 may comprise the game identifier 902concatenated with an identifier associated with a particular game thatwas played.

[0067] The total game result 904 represents a total amount that hasbeen, or will be, paid by a game provider based on players' performancein the game of skill (e.g., prizes awarded to players based on gameplay). According to another embodiment, the total game result 904instead represents goals achieved players, such as an average totalscore.

Game System Method

[0068]FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for facilitating game playaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The method may beperformed, for example, by the game controller 600 in connection with agame of skill associated with a physics simulation, such as acomputer-based golf game. Other examples of games that may be associatedwith a physics simulation include an archery game, a moving water game(e.g., a whitewater rapids game), a racing game, a fishing game, asports game (e.g., a baseball, basketball, football, soccer, or hockeygame), a bowling game, a billiards game, a throwing game, a ring-tossgame, a shooting game, or a space game.

[0069] At 1002, the game controller 600 arranges to receive a fee from aplayer in exchange for game play. For example, the game controller 600may use the payment identifier 1208 stored in the player database 700 toarrange for the player to provide twenty dollars in exchange for gameplay (e.g., for the right to play forty games or the right to play gamesfor thirty minutes). The game controller 600 may also update the accountbalance 1210 stored in the player database 700.

[0070] At 1004, the game controller 600 receives one or more playerinput parameters from a remote player device 200. For example, the gamecontroller 600 may receive a speed and angle associated with a swing ofa simulated golf club from a player's PC via the Internet.

[0071] At 1006, the game controller 600 determines a game result whileinhibiting or hampering the use of an automated game playing device 260.For example, the game controller 600 may calculate a trajectory for asimulated golf ball based on the player input parameter received at 1004and a value that has not been transmitted to the player device 200, suchas a wind speed and direction. Other examples of values that may usedinclude atmospheric information, terrain information, and objectinformation (e.g., an irregularity in a simulated golf ball's shape).

[0072] According to one embodiment, the value is randomly generated bythe game controller 600. According to another embodiment, theundisclosed value is not randomly generated. For example, the gamecontroller 600 may generate the value by receiving actual wind speed anddirection information from a golf course (further removing theperception that “randomness” or “chance” is associated with the gameresult). As another example, the game controller 600 can generate thevalue by retrieving a pre-stored value from a database. According tostill another embodiment, a multi-player format is utilized to introducea value that cannot be determined by the remote player device 200 and/oran automated game playing device 260. For example, a first player mayselect a wind speed and direction for a second player.

[0073] As a result of the value not being transmitted to the playerdevice 200, an automated game playing device 260 would be unaware of,and unable to account for, the value.

[0074] The game provider may want to make sure that the player's skillin the game is more significant to the determination of a game resultthan the real-world forces. The level of skill required may beassociated with proficiency in reading and interpreting the puttinggreen, estimating the correct force and direction to hit the golf ball,and hand-eye coordination needed to properly input the desired force.

[0075] Moreover, the game provider may want to ensure that game results,and any simulations and values used to produce those game results (e.g.,wind speeds), can be audited and verified by outside experts (e.g., aphysics expert may review a physics simulation).

[0076] Note that a game based in part on real world probabilities mayeffectively limit an expert player's advantage. Consider acomputer-based golf simulation in which a player is awarded a largeprize if he or she shoots a “hole-in-one.” In this case, the likelihoodof even an expert player shooting a hole-in-one may be small enough(e.g., one in a million) so as to prevent expert players from dominatingthe game. As described herein, a game design can also incorporate one ormore variable elements to prevent expert players from completelymastering the game. For example, a variable, undisclosed wind speed anddirection may be used to further limit an advantage enjoyed by expertplayers.

[0077] At 1008, the game controller 600 determines if a prize has beenwon by the player based on the game result. For example, the gamecontroller 600 may determine if a simulate golf ball has come to restwithin a predetermined distance of a simulated golf hole. If the playerhas won a prize, the game controller 600 arranges for the player toreceive payment of a prize amount at 1010. The game controller 600 mayalso update the account balance 710 stored in the player database 700,the game result 806 stored in the game play database 800, and/or thetotal game result 904 stored in the game database 900.

Additional Embodiments

[0078] The following illustrates various additional embodiments of thepresent invention. These do not constitute a definition of all possibleembodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that thepresent invention is applicable to many other embodiments. Further,although the following embodiments are briefly described for clarity,those skilled in the art will understand how to make any changes, ifnecessary, to the above-described apparatus and methods to accommodatethese and other embodiments and applications.

[0079] Although most of the embodiments described herein are associatedwith a game controller 600 generating an additional value that is usedto determine a game result, such a function may instead be performed bya player device 200. For example, a first player may use a first playerdevice 200 to input a wind speed and direction that is used whendetermining a game result for a second player at a second player device200.

[0080] Similarly, although embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with respect to games of skill associated a single player,according to other embodiments the games of skill are instead associatedwith multiple players. For example, a set of players (e.g., members of afamily or a “team” of players) may be play a game of skill as describedherein.

[0081] In some of the embodiments described herein, a check may bemailed to a player based on an amount won during game play. However,payments can also be provided to the player in other ways. For example,a game provider may give a player a payment card that the player uses tocollect winning amounts via, for example, an Automated Teller Machine(ATM) device.

[0082] The present invention has been described in terms of severalembodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled inthe art will recognize from this description that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments described, but may be practiced withmodifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of facilitating game play at a gamecontroller, comprising: receiving from a player a fee to play a game ofskill; receiving a player input parameter from a remote player devicevia a communication network; determining a game result based on theplayer input parameter and the game of skill, wherein the game of skillinhibits performance of an automated game playing device by determiningthe game result in part based on a value that is not transmitted to theremote player device; and providing a prize to the player based on thegame result.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote player devicecomprises at least one of: (i) a personal computer, (ii) a portablecomputing device, (iii) a personal digital assistant, (iv) a telephone,(v) a wireless telephone, (vi) a game terminal, (vii) an interactivetelevision device, and (viii) a kiosk.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe communication network comprises at least one of: (i) the Internet,(ii) a public network, (iii) a public switched telephone network, (iv) aproprietary network, (v) a cable television network, (vi) a wirelessnetwork, and (vii) a local area network.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the fee is received from the player via a payment identifier. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein the payment identifier is associated withat least one of: (i) a credit card account, (ii) a debit card account,(iii) a bank account, and (iv) a digital payment protocol.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the prize comprises payment of at least one of: (i)a monetary amount, and (ii) an alternate currency.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the game of skill comprises a game associated with aphysics simulation, and the value comprises a randomly generated valueassociated with the physics simulation.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the player input parameter and the randomly generated value areinput into the physics simulation to determine the game result.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the physics simulation comprises at least oneof: a golf simulation; a golf putting simulation; an archery simulation;a moving water simulation; a racing simulation; a fishing simulation; abaseball simulation; a basketball simulation; a football simulation; asoccer simulation; a hockey simulation; a bowling simulation; abilliards simulation; a throwing simulation; a ring-toss simulation; ashooting simulation; and a space simulation.
 10. A game controller,comprising: a processor; and a storage device in communication with saidprocessor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by saidprocessor to: receive from a player a fee to play a game of skill;receive a player input parameter from a remote player device via acommunication network; determine a game result based on the player inputparameter and the game of skill, wherein the game of skill inhibitsperformance of an automated game playing device by determining the gameresult in part based on a value that is not transmitted to the remoteplayer device; and provide a prize to the player based on the gameresult.
 11. The game controller of claim 10, wherein said storage devicefurther stores at least one of: (i) a player database, (ii) a game playdatabase, and (iii) a game database.
 12. The game controller of claim10, further comprising: a communication device coupled to said processorand adapted to communicate with at least one of: (i) a player device,and (ii) a payment device.
 13. A medium storing instructions adapted tobe executed by a processor to perform a method of facilitating game playat a game controller, said method comprising: receiving from a player afee to play a game of skill; receiving a player input parameter from aremote player device via a communication network; determining a gameresult based on the player input parameter and the game of skill,wherein the game of skill inhibits performance of an automated gameplaying device by determining the game result in part based on a valuethat is not transmitted to the remote player device; and providing aprize to the player based on the game result.
 14. A computer-implementedmethod of facilitating game play at a game controller, comprising:receiving from a player a fee to play a game of skill associated with aphysics simulation; determining a value associated with the physicssimulation without communicating the value to a remote player device;receiving a player input parameter from the remote player device via acommunication network; determining a game result based on (i) thereceived player input parameter and (ii) the value associated with thephysics simulation; and providing a prize to the player based on thegame result.